Thursday, March 5, 2009

Soaring

I had to tell you. I just had to tell you this.

Not an hour after posting to my blog... after crying hot, salty tears and gritting my teeth and determining to embrace opportunity... someone knocked on my door. Which isn't unusual. Freeman House is a hub of comings and goings.

It was a lady who owns a building downtown. I want you to come see this, she said. Be at my shop at one o'clock. I wanted to argue but didn't. At one o'clock, I walked past seven houses, the old jail, the railroad tracks, and past two shops into her building.

I just had the floors waxed, she said. Then, I want you to take the front of this building an open a little bakery. We smiled at each other and then I said, slowly... thankfully... Thanks. Thank you. But I can't afford to.Yes, you can, she said. I only want $50 a month rent. And you can paint or do whatever you need to do.We talked for two hours. And by the time I'd walked home after three o'clock, we'd made a tentative deal.

That means this will be henrybella's, my little dream of a bakery. This means I can bicycle or even walk to work. This means this sidewalk will soon be dotted with tables, flowers, and sweets. This means I'll get my shot.

This means that even as I was crying my hot, salty tears, God was making my way where there seemed to be no way. This means that everything I've lost made room for the thing I wanted most.

And this means that soon you can come and sit in my little bakery and pull up a chair - for real, this time - and you can see for yourself. Together we can see what it means to soar....

And soar you will! With God behind you, how can you not soar??? You'll do well, and be doing something you love, right where you want to do it. Congratulations. I hope I come across your little town someday so I can stop in.

My own salty tears are flowing as I read this! Because words of encouragement, during times of utter despair, are often so trite sounding...I have left but a few, encouraging comments (over the last few months). Your biggest need has been fulfilled, by Him: He has graced you with HOPE! The rest is icing :-) I am absolutely, whole-heartedly THRILLED for you, Brinn!Thank you, Lord, for reminding us that YOUR plan is perfect and your timing is never "off" by a single second! Way to go, Girl!

Tears of joy are flowing as I read this, I'm so happy for you and that store front is just perfect! I've been saying extra prayers for you sweet Brin, and they have been answered! All the heartache lead to your dream come true, bless your angel! I too hope you will continue with your blog to keep us all up to date with HB. God is so good! Can't wait to hear more!

God is so good! I prayed for you this morning sitting in my dark quiet kitchen. I've only been reading your blog for a couple weeks but am so inspired by your stories and your creativity. It felt silly at first to pray for someone I don't even know in person...but then I thought, we do that all the time! Prayer lists at church of people we've never met but who mean so much to others, etc. I'm so happy that God has provided a way and am encouraged once again that he hears our prayers.

In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice, my cry came before him into his ears. He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. (Psalm 18: 6 and 16)Praise God Brin! We are praying and pulling for you! I can't wait to see your bakery:>)

"[He] provide[s] for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor."

Yay, Brin! I am so happy! What a dream come true! God is good and you were faithful. I have been praying for you. This is exactly where God wants you to be. You will be a great success. What an exciting adventure.Yay!!!

Oh Brin...isn't God amazing how He works things out in His time!! I am so happy for you and will continue to pray for you !! CONGRATULATIONS! Wish I lived closer...I would be there in a heartbeat when you open!Blessings!

"Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed." Proverbs 15:22

I pray for you my friend, and am so encouraged by your sharing of difficult times. I congratulate you with a smile and squeeze. I so hope I can sit and enjoy a sweet treat and a cup of tea from your shop someday soon. God is in control, Always!

Oh Brin, I'm absolutely, completely thrilled for you. This is the beginning of your dream and I know God was working behind the scenes to bring you to this place. Please keep up updated and let us share the journey with you - and pray much for you - as you soar. And we will soar, too. You are an encouragement and inspiration. Even in the tough times. I wish I lived close enough to help you move things, scrub things - whatever you need help with. And oh how I wish I could stop by for a sweet treat. Looking forward to seeing your dream come true! ~Adrienne~

God has met your need with a great blessing, dear one. To Him is all praise given! I look forward to seeing the process and results of your labor and joy. Please....................please don't close your blog. :o)

I have missed your blog - (it's been a couple of months... sorry)as I was getting caught up in my own puddle of salty sad tears.... and then, by chance, as I was sitting here at work... you came to mind - and I thought... wonder what Brin is up to these days. So, I typed in your address and as I read your recent post - I was overcome by goosebumples... (that's what my daughter Isabel calls goosebumps :) and I see your dream - coming to life on the pages of your beautiful blog. How absolutley wonderful is our God... Get ready Brin... fluff those feathers and smile....

Praise God!! I can't tell you how happy I am for you!! God answers prayer and Brin, your new bakery is so quaint, I can just picture you in there baking up a storm. Did I say how happy I am for you!! Blessings, Heather

I just knew you would be soaring soon with God's love and inspiration. Congratulations!!!!Now I only wish we were living back around Dallas so I could bring my girls and best friend to visit your little shop (heck I'd take off work and have my mil watch the girls for a day or two so I could help you set things up). Get baking!!! And please keep us updated on Henribella's.

Oh Brin, I'm so Happy for YOU!!I know you will guard this gift and cherish it and make your sweet dream flourish!Did I hear the creaking sound of a door opening to a whole new chapter in your life? I think you heard it too!Congratulations and don't forget the focaccia bread!

GOD IS SO GOOD!!Matt Redman's song, "You Never Let Go" immediately came to mind when I read this post. Praising God with you today, Brin. :) I can't wait to see what you do with the place. I'd love to come visit it someday. Perhaps I will. I'm not too terribly far from you, I believe.

And I can see a lightThat is comingFor the heart that holds on,A glorious light beyond all compare.

And there will be an endTo these troublesBut until that day comes,Still I will praise You.Still I will praise You.

For I will fear no evil,For my God is with me.And if my God is with me,Whom then shall I fear?Whom then shall I fear?

Hi Brin, I just had to leave another comment. I printed off your last two posts and read them to my hubby today all the while trying so hard to keep my composure, but I ended up disolving in a sobbing mess. To which hubby says, " WOW...32 hours a week seems pretty good compared to what she is going through". I said YES IT DOES! God is so good ! And I echo others sentiments...PLEASE OH PLEASE keep your blog going Brin. We want to continue celebrating with you! Blessings!

this post left me in tears. God is so good! what a wonderful gift He has given you. i wish you all the luck. my hubby goes hog hunting in texas...maybe i will have to go with him sometime so i can try your sweet treats.

And isn't it just so interesting that for him to give the things he has in store for us we must first let go of all that we hold on to! You have done such letting go in the last little while, now it is your turn to receive.

I know you will bless Him with henrybella's. I was wondering where that was sitting on your backburner.

Yes! It's perfect. I cried tears of joy when I read today's post. I loved your reference to letting go of things to make room for what God has planned. I will never forget this post... making room... wow.

How absolutely wonderful! When I saw you were selling those beautiful dishes, I wished so I could buy them back for you! Your writing has meant so much--I hope you won't give it up, even if it in a different forum. May God's blessing and favor be with you.

Brin, God does answer prayers - every day! I am so excited for you, and wish I wasn't hundreds of miles away, cause if I wasn't I'd come sit in one of those little tables in front of that precious store! What a blessing you have been to me. Please don't stop blogging, and please don't stop believing in God's graciousness!!! B.

My heart just skipped a beat when I read this... I am so very happy for you! I am a very long time lurker who loves your little blog and will be sad to see it go. I've been following your adventures and hoping for the best for you. Life is good. Now if I just lived closer to enjoy your treats!

Wow. You know, every so often I come across people in this world that I can really see the hand of God working in their lives. I see the hand of someone else, trying to dissuade them or discourage them or persecute them in some way or another. They have these horrid, wretched things happen to them and you think, "how can they ever maintain their faith like they do???".... and then suddenly something amazing happens. And you know. You know that what you just witnessed, what happened in their life, was a sure sign there is a God. You are one of those rare people. It is because of people like you and your life and your faith, because of people like you that I still believe. Thank you for sharing this story.

I shall miss this, you know. Your blog. I get up in the morning, put on the kettle so that I can have some tea or coffee in my favorite diner mug and then I sit on my cozy sofa and log onto the internet. Bookmarks> Email/Communication> Blogs I love> My Messy Thrilling Life. And there I sit, with my piping hot cup and whichever of the 4 pets that decide to share the morning with me that day, and I read about your little but not so little life. And I'm inspired. And I warmed to the heart. Yes, I shall miss this indeed.

This is wonderful news! Congratulations! My heart has been aching for you the last few weeks and it brings me a smile to think you have found a bit of sunshine and happiness this week. I'm still going to keep praying fervent prayers for you!

God loves You Brin. Never, ever doubt that. He does to You what He does to me. He lets me get down to the very last hope I have and then something wonderful shows up. It has happened over and over again. Perhaps it is a test for us. To see if we will lose our faith or to see just how much we can stand in this journey thru our earthly life.

One question: Is there a place for Millie to be in the bakery with you during the day? I just love that dog.

Praising God today with you & your readers. Our God is an awesome God. He would have been awesome even if He had led you in a different direction, but this shows His love for you, giving you this gift.

Praise God, Brin! I don't know you ('cept through this lovely blog!) but you've been on my heart for the last couple weeks and I've been praying and praying for you- that God would do a wondrous work in your life...so reading this is just fantastic news! I am so excited for you- and for HenryBellas. yippee!

Oh Brin~What totally Thrilling Timing our God has! And perfect for this Lenten season as we prepare our hearts for His most perfect gift."Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?" ~John 11:40I could not help but be reminded of this scripture as I read your post through my tears.((hugs)) and Blessings as you move into this next Thrilling adventure.

When I read your amazing, miraculous news I thought of this quote by Emily Dickinson:"Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without the words, and never stops at all".Your faith and hope are such an inspiration!

Sweet, happy, wonderful news!! Isn't it great how God is always working behind the scenes! He always has blessings waiting for us around the corner when we least expect it! This is such a great story...please write a book about it!! Do fill us in on the details!

Boy did God fling open a door for you. He had plans for you all along and you were so faithful!! You are going to be so blessed and the lives that will be touched will be countless. This will be a place where dreams come true and aching hearts find healing.Bake and be happy!!!

OMG....is it in your hometown? Cuz I don't live far from you. I will definitely be there as soon as the doors open! God is so good and he is an on time God!I speak blessings and supernatural increase over you and your new place to house what you do best!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!Praise Him all creatures here below!Praise Him above, you heavenly host!Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!

I've read this post three times, just to be sure I read correctly! I'll keep praying for this next chapter in your book.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, with sugar on top, keep up your blog. Could you handle once a week posts? Would it be easier on your mind if you turned off the comments, so you didn't feel compelled to read them all? Thus saving you time?

Sending cyber-hugs to you and Millie (the hb Bakery dog!) from Colorado...

This post made me cry. My father has been out of work since July of 2008 and has been trying to find a job ever since. we're from a very small town and there aren't alot of jobs there. BUT God is so faithful. He has said He will never leave us nor forsake us. I have faith that He will see our country through this hard time. Maybe, just maybe, He is trying to get our attention. We have left him out of our schools, government and our lives. Keep your chin up! He is performing a work in your life and it's exciting to see!!!! I was sad to see that you're not going to be doing your blog anymore. I hope that you can add me to your e-mail listtamrah_burrington@hotmail.comThank you!